FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
perennial herbs, with much-divided leaves; petal-like sepals, five to 
eight; and from five to sixteen red or yellow petals; there are many 
carpels (achenes), each with a solitaiy ovule. One species, A. autumnudis , 
the Pheasant’s-eye, is naturalised in parts of Britain, and this and 
several other species are grown in gardens. A. aestivalis (summer) is ah 
erect annual (1 foot), with deep crimson or orange flowers an inch across, 
with black spot at base of petals; June. A. autumnalis (autumn) is of 
similar height, with branched stems, and globose blood-red flowers, with 
black centre; May to September. A. pyrenaica (Pyrenees), 1 foot; 
flowers yellow, almost stalkless; July. A. vemalis (spring), 9 to 12 
inches; flowers yellow (2 inches diameter), with ten or twelve slightly 
toothed petals; March. The first three species are annuals, the last is a 
perennial, suitable for the rock-garden, and requiring rich, sandy loam 
and undisturbed occupation. 
Helleborus (the old Greek name) contains ten species of coarse 
perennial herbs, natives of Europe and Asia. They have thick root¬ 
stocks and handsome palmate leaves, five petal-like sepals, small, tubular 
petals, and many stamens. Several species have been much cultivated, 
notably H. niger (black), the Christmas Bose, with large white or pinkish 
flowers, which appears between December and March; H. olympicus 
(Olympian), with many rosy or purplish flowers, appearing in early 
spring. There are a number of hybrids in cultivation, the result of 
crossing various species little known in gardens. They thrive well in 
most garden soils, but the best results are attained from rich, moist, but 
well-drained loam. They are very impatient of disturbance at the root 
H. niger is an excellent plant for the wild garden. It is also a good 
pot-plant, if allowed plenty of root-room, good soil, a position out of 
doors during summer, and in the cold frame during winter. All the 
Hellebores thrive under deciduous trees. They should be somewhat 
shaded, and before the buds open they should be covered with a hand¬ 
glass to preserve the purity of the petals, which are easily soiled. If 
cut just as they begin to open, the buds will expand in full beauty when 
placed in water indoors. Propagation is chiefly effected by root-divisioh 
WATER-LILIES 
Natural Order NymphjEACEjE. Genus Nymphcea 
Nympelea (classical, the Greeks having dedicated these plants to the 
water-nymphs). A genus of handsome aquatics, with fleshy or tuberous 
